Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

The Infamous Masterson’s , located in the heart of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its threshold was disgraceful and unfit for any venue.

The State of the Venue : Grimy and Abandoned
From the moment I crossed the threshold, it was immediately obvious that hygiene was not a priority at this venue. The floors were sticky , and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire establishment . Reeking of a mixture of human waste, a rotting odor and a sickly smell. The serving zone , which should be the focal point of any pub, was piled high with used mugs and trash that looked like it had accumulated over weeks. The restroom was in even a truly awful state—overflowing , with a broken handle and walls covered in what I can only assume was human excrement .

It wasn’t just a isolated occurrence either. From reading other reviews and chatting with the community, it seems that the state of cleanliness (or lack thereof) at this so-called establishment is a persistent problem . Many patrons have reported witnessing insects darting across the counter and signs of rats in the basement . For a business that offers beverages , these issues are absolutely intolerable and raise serious concerns about the integrity of anything they serve .

The Owners’ Conduct : Reports of mastersons bar review Unethical Conduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my mastersons bar review experience at this place stand out for all the wrong reasons —was the behavior of its managers. The bar is managed by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a professional role as a risk manager at Westpac. Unfortunately, his reputation in the business community is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his interactions at the pub and beyond .

During my time there, I became aware of how tense several women seemed around Cornwell. As I investigated further , I was horrified to find allegations against him involving inappropriate advances, with multiple women accusing him of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as uncomfortably pushy and inappropriate , his actions has created an unwelcoming setting for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often seemed closer to that of a sweating more info predator than a friendly owner .

Employee Actions : Complicit or Powerless ?
Pete’s wife, the co-owner, is a co-owner and frequently seen supervising the venue. Rather than addressing the issue to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she seems to accept his behavior. Such tacit approval adds a alarming layer to the already unhealthy environment at this pub .